Humanitarian corridors. Russian forces keep violating the rules of international humanitarian law: shelling continues at the “green corridors”, equipment and ammunition are placed in residential areas of cities, in a number of cities, there is a humanitarian crisis in the occupied settlements. In Irpin, Kyiv oblast, Russian forces deliberately targeted a bridge used to evacuate civilians, and civilians were shelled during evacuation. 8 people got killed, including at least 2 children. The city has been without access to power, water, and central heating for more than three days. In Yasnohorodka, Kyiv region, civilians were shot at the checkpoint while trying to leave the village. The second attempt to evacuate people from Mariupol failed due to ongoing shelling by the Russians. Currently, Kyiv is negotiating the evacuation from Bucha and Hostomel, Kyiv region. Bucha, like Irpin, is without access to water and food, as well as without the possibility to leave the shelter. Mayor of Hostomel was shot dead while working with volunteers to provide food to the civilians.
Cities under the attack. There have been air raid alarms in 17 regions at once in 20.00 on Sunday evening. During the day, Vinnytsia Airport and the military base in Havryshivka were shelled with 8 rockets. The missiles were launched from the Black Sea area. Attacks on Kharkiv continue. On Sunday multiple-launch rocket systems Grad shelled the National Science Center Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology (KIPT). There is a nuclear installation in the active zone of which 37 nuclear fuel elements are installed. The destruction of a nuclear installation and storage of nuclear materials could lead to a large-scale environmental disaster. At night, Russian forces attacked the Southern coast – previously President Zelenskyi informed that Russia plans to attack Odesa after Ukrainians got ahold of the enemyโs maps. Village Tuzla, Odesa region was shelled at night due to its proximity to critical infrastructure in the area. Civilians’ infrastructure in Mykolayiv was shelled from BM-30 Smerch. Attacking Mykolayiv is a critical task for ensuring the advance of the Russian troops towards the South-Ukrainian NPP. In Kramatorsk, at least two people were killed and many were injured when the Russian troops fired at apartment blocks.
Russian media outlet, Ria Novosti, openly informed about the attacks on the Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, referring to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The news about the attack has been released for the civilians and workers to โevacuateโ from the facilities and to resist Ukrainian authorities.
Check the latest map of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.
Rallies against Russian occupation. In the Kherson region, people rallied against the Russian occupiers in Kherson, Nova Kakhovka, Novooleksiyivka and Kalanchak, as well as residents of Troitsky in the Luhansk region. In Chongar, Crimean Tatars went out on the streets demanding that Russians leave Crimea.
Provocations. More information appears that Russian authorities are planning to shell residential areas in Russian cities near Ukrainian border. According to this scenario, staged images would be broadcast to the public, presenting multiple civilian victims of Ukrainian military. This would allow accusing the Ukrainian military of it to proceed with further offensive and launch full mobilization all across the country. Similar approaches were applied during the military activities in Afghanistan, Chechnia, Abkhazia. In Lyptsi, Kharkiv region, occupiers force civilians to wear white and red stripes on their arms, and to put white cloths on their buildings. Russian troops wear red and white arm stripes on their uniforms as identification.
Media. The TV tower in Kharkiv was hit by the missile and the television broadcasting has been temporarily suspended. The same scenario has taken place in Kyiv, Kherson and Melitopol. To counter possible disruption of broadcasting, the Ministry of Digital Transformation has launched a TV service on the state app Diia. Ukrainians can now follow the news on Diia app. On Sunday, Russian troops fired at and robbed Swiss journalist, Guillaume Briquet, taking his cash, helmet, recorded materials and his laptop. British reporters from Sky News were shot and wounded while trying to get away from an ambush.
Disinformation. Russia accuses the Ukrainian side of preventing the evacuation of civilians. Thus, the Russian media claim that Azov militants shot down a column of civilians who were trying to leave Mariupol along the evacuation corridor, there have been several fatalities and severe casualties. The Russian side maintains the second attempt to evacuate the population from Mariupol failed because Ukrainian authorities misinformed the population about the ceasefire. Russia also claims the Ukrainian side is being completely uncooperative on evacuating civilians fromKharkiv and Sumy. In addition, Russia says ยซradicalsยป in Ukraine are carrying out ethnic cleansing: ยซmilitants are taking people without Ukrainian passports in an unknown directionยป.
Healthcare. Since the beginning of the war, 34 hospitals in Ukraine have been hit and suffered significant damage , some of which will no longer be operational. Attacks on hospitals violate n 6 provisions of the Geneva Convention. A cruise missile was sent to hit the biggest children’s hospital in Ukraine โOhmatdytโ. As a result, windows and doors of the facility were damaged. No one was injured. In addition, the occupiers are preventing transportation to the hospital. There have been repeated attempts to evacuate the children severely wounded as a result of hostilities; the attempts have been unsuccessful due to the threat of shelling. Meanwhile, COVID-19 pandemic keeps spreading, though testing and data collection is very limited and inaccurate. 6-7 thousand cases are recorded daily, among which 600-700 people are hospitalized.
Energy security. Putin has announced he is ready to participate in a trilateral meeting between the International Atomic Energy Association, Russia and Ukraine. The meeting can take place online or on the territory of a third country not involved in the military action.
Business in times of war. According to the European Business Association more than half of Ukrainian businesses continue operations during the war. 63% of businesses continue to pay salaries to employees in full and 45% make additional payments. To support the employees, businesses pay salaries a month or more ahead, reimburse relocation expenses, rent accommodation in western Ukraine or abroad, and provide insurance for those who keep working. . Ukraine-based businesses try to financially support Ukraine by supporting employees who defend the country, supplying goods, services, medicines, or means of protection/defense.
Food Security. Ukraine temporarily suspends export of the products crucial for food security: rye, oats, buckwheat, millet, meat, sugar, salt. The Ministry of Economy is to issue special permits for the export of wheat, corn, oil, poultry and chicken eggs.
Isolation of the aggressor continues. American Express has announced suspending all operations in Russia, thus their products will no longer be available for merchants or in ATMs in Russia. Also, the company announced suspending their operations in Belarus. According to the Financial Times, PwC and KMPG exited the Russian market. South Korea has suspended transactions with Russia’s central bank. This is part of the financial sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation. Radio Liberty Corporation (RFE / RL) has stopped operation in the Russian Federation. TikTok is no longer available in the Russian Federation due to the Russian law on “fakes”. Spotify announced that the Premium subscription is discontinued in Russia due to the exit of Mastercard and Visa. The company closed its office in the country two days ago. โโNetflix is no longer serving customers in Russia amid the Ukraine invasion.
Art: Today more than 40 artists came together in Riga and created solidarity artwork for Ukraine on walls in the city (Vesetas street). A symbolic performance took place at Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to support the demands of introducing a no-fly zone about Ukraine.
Upcoming events:
- Negotiations Round 3, March 7.
- On March 7-8, the Ukrainian delegation will speak at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague to bring Russia to justice for its crimes against Ukraine.
Statistics:
- 38 children killed, 71 wounded in Russia’s war, according to the Ombudsman on Childrenโs Rights.
- 211 schools in Ukraine were destroyed since February 24, 2022.
- 650,000 Ukrainians remain without access to power due to the ongoing war, MinEnrgo says.
- During the war, almost 4,000 new families were registered in Ukraine and 4,311 babies were born, MinJustice says.
- 140,000 citizens returned to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, more than 80% are men.
- Approximately 20,000 foreigners from 52 countries, including former British Marines, have applied to join the International Legion for the Territorial Defense of Ukraine.
- General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine announced the total estimated losses of the Russian military as of 6 a.m., March 7, 2022: troops – more than 11 000, tanks โ 290, APV โ 999, artillery systems โ 117, MLRS – 50, anti-aircraft warfare systems – 23, aircraft โ 46, helicopters โ 68, vehicles – 454, light speed boats – 3, fuel tanks – 60, UAV operational-tactical level – 7.
Every action counts, no contribution is too small!
- The University of Tartu has established a scholarship fund to support the studies of Ukrainian students. Donate to help Ukrainian students continue their studies.
- Post on social media demanding to introduce the no-fly zone over Ukraine to cease the shelling of civilians by Russia and ensure the safety of critical infrastructure such as Nuclear Power Plants. Use #closethesky.
- Share the briefing note with your local media and decision-makers.
Thank you for supporting Ukraine! Slava Ukraini! Glory to Ukraine!
This update has been prepared by representatives of Ukrainian NGOs and experts in human security and democracy, who are in cities all over Ukraine right now. NGOs: Institute for Political and Information Research NGO, World of Communities, Kyiv Educational Center Tolerspace, U-Cycle NGO (Kyiv Cyclists Association), OpenSpace.Works Cooperative. Experts: Sofia Oliynyk, Maryana Zaviyska, Sofia Bela (culture heritage block), Taras Tymchuk, Uliana Movchan (Disinformation Block).
